Brewers Remain In First Despite Injuries, Slumps To Key Players

The Milwaukee Brewers will start the season’s second half as the only team in the National League Central division to have a winning record at 50-41. And that’s despite some big slumps and major injuries to key players. Ryan Braun, Eric Thames, and Opening Day starter Junior Guerra all suffered injuries which slowed their production in recent weeks — Jonathan Villar is performing nowhere near his level from last year when he led the Majors in stolen bases — and Neftali Feliz was let go after he failed to pan out as the Brewers’ closer. Still, a lot is going right for manager Craig Counsell and his Crew — including steady production from third baseman Travis Shaw, new growth from younger players like Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana, and reliever Corey Knebel’s big league record of 43 straight apperances with at least one strikeout. The Brewers officially come out of the All Star break tomorrow (Friday) night when they open a home series against Philadelphia.